A Chinese national on a tourist visa was held at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Sunday while he was trying to smuggle in sandalwood.
According to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the man apprehended when he approached for security check at the departure gate of Terminal 3.
"Around 2.30pm on Sunday, the 40-year-old Chinese national, scheduled to fly out to Guangzhou by Spicejet flight SG 081, approached gate number 5 of Terminal 3 for security checks," a CISF spokesperson said.
His movement was found to be suspicious after which he was frisked before being allowed into the terminal building.
When his baggage was checked, the security personnel found 60kg of sandalwood.
"The matter was reported to the customs department. The passenger along with the recovered sandalwood was handed over to customs officials," the spokesperson said.
Customs officials seized the sandalwood, valued at R6 lakh, and imposed a fine of R30,000 on the Chinese national. He was released around 9 pm.
According to officials, sandalwood has a huge demand in China and smugglers usually buy it from south India and sneak it into the neighbouring country.